Page 5 of The Forever One

Elizabeth’s words only spur J on as she brings the gun to within an inch of our potential enemy’s head.

“That’s where you’re mistaken,bella.” Gabriella speaks and my shoulders automatically square off. A few weeks ago, Lina explained that the word “bella” is more often than not used, by Italians, in a slightly derogatory way unless, of course, they’re saying “Ciao, bella.” I imagine it’s like a caress… with a razorblade. “River’s not a pawn, she’s a ruler. A leader. Your parents raised you to be a wife, but they didn’t raise you to make life-or-death decisions.” At my side, she takes my hand and squeezes it. “My son fell in love with a partner in all things, not a trophy wife. So, no, River is nothing like you.”

I step back, watching Elizabeth to see if her façade slips at all, but it doesn’t. She seems genuinely shocked by my accusations and more than a little sad by Gabri’s assessment of her, but that doesn’t mean she won’t sell me out and walk away, either.

I kiss Gabri’s cheek before burying my hands in my hair and turning on my heel. And so the pacing begins, back and forth, from one end of the couch to the other. I don’t want to trust her, but she’s the only person who knows how to find Marco and Enzo. At this point, I don’t really have a choice but to—tentatively—put a little faith in her, even if it means I lose the game for myself. At least I’ll die saving the man I love.

Jesus, did those desperate thoughts just go through my mind? IfGone With The WindandThe Godfatherhad a child, it would sound like me just now. Cliché as fuck.

“Fine. Let’s stick to the plan.” I pause then turn my sharp gaze on Elizabeth. “Cross me and I will slit your throat.”

“I’ll help her.” The unwavering strength in Lina’s voice gives me a rush of adrenaline.

“We have a deal?” I’m steady now, both of my hands are pressed against the back of the couch and my eyes are narrowed, fixed solely on Elizabeth.

“Si, we have a deal.” She bows her head, almost in deference, then turns and walks to the door, J escorting her out of the house.

This is it. It’s all we can do for now as we wait for our pieces to fall into place. Hopefully, they’ll fit perfectly and we can get my husband and Enzo back home where they’ll be safe.

“Cara, you need to rest. Soon, they’ll be calling you. They’ll want to get you alone and you will need to be alert. Go, sleep, rest. Dream of Marco and how perfect life will be when you’re both back on your thrones.” Except, I don’t care about the throne or the power. I just want Marco back home, driving me crazy and giving me orders he knows damn well I won’t follow.

We hug like a mother and daughter, when Lina joins us, our circle is perfect.

A family of strong women ready to scorch the Earth for a small taste of revenge.

“Come on, let’s go to my room. I won’t be able to sleep alone.” Lina takes my hand and we both pad our way up the stairs with the weight of our legacies pressing down on our shoulders.

As we lie on our backs, both wide awake, we don’t even pretend to rest. I don’t know about Lina, but my mind won’t stop tormenting me with images of Marco suffering, screaming. Being tortured the way I know he’s tortured others who have hurt me.

“They’re okay. I can feel it.” Lina’s voice cracks on the last word and I don’t have to look over at her to know tears are freely falling down her cheeks.

“Me too. Me too.” I reach out, my hand squeezing hers as we give each other some much-needed comfort.

“Enzo would never let anything happen to Marco.” The conviction in her voice reassures me, except my brain is taunting me, preparing me for the worst. I mean, what if Enzo was passed out and they killed Marco? What if Marco was shot and Enzo couldn’t get to him? What if he bled out on the flight over to Naples?

What if…?

“Stop, River. You can’t let the negative thoughts overcome you. If you don’t believe they’re alive, we’ll never get to them in time.” I snort at Lina’s words as we turn our heads to look at each other.

“You sound like Petal.” At just the mention of my sister-in-law, a sob escapes my throat and my body breaks like a two-hundred-year-old dam that’s been beaten by the water.

“Shh, they’re okay. They’re okay. They have to be.”

I don’t know how long we lie there holding each other, reassuring each other, but at one point I fall asleep because the next thing I know, Gabri is waking us up with urgency in her voice.

“River. River, wake up.”

My eyes fly open, my brain trying to refocus on whatever news she may have. Lina snaps awake too and we both turn to Gabriella as she wraps her hands around mine.

“The Ambrosios are on the phone. They want to speak with you.”

CHAPTERFOUR

RIVER

“Is that Marco’s little whore I’m speaking to?”

The bone-chilling voice of Ugo Ambrosio makes me want to reach through the phone and strangle the fucker. I’ve never met him, talked to him before, nothing, but the disdain on Stefano’s face as he handed the phone over to me was clear. We hold no love for this man.

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